yehoshua socol - falcon analytics · plasma formation ussr npo “astrophysics ” 1969 -1985...

HighHigh--Power Beams in Power Beams in

Defense and SecurityDefense and Security

Yehoshua Yehoshua SocolSocol

06. 2007

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Y.PinhasiY.Pinhasi,, M.EinatM.Einat, ,

B.KapilevichB.Kapilevich, , A.YahalomA.Yahalom, , D.HardonD.Hardon (CJS)(CJS)

A.GoverA.Gover (TAU)(TAU) Y.KrasikY.Krasik ((TechnionTechnion))

G.FalkovichG.Falkovich, , V.FisherV.Fisher ((WeizmannWeizmann Inst) Inst)

I. I. ShoshanShoshan (ELOP)(ELOP)

Z.SchneiderZ.Schneider (ELTA) (ELTA) Y.DanzigerY.Danziger (RAFAEL) (RAFAEL)

G.AvitalG.Avital ((ElbitElbit) ) A.ShorA.Shor ((SoreqSoreq) )

V.BratmanV.Bratman (IAP)(IAP) N.VinokurovN.Vinokurov (BINP)(BINP)

A.NarodetskiyA.Narodetskiy, , R.RovinskiyR.Rovinskiy

ContentsContents

�� Lasers as WeaponsLasers as Weapons

�� Beam PropagationBeam Propagation

�� Airborne Lasers Airborne Lasers –– ABL, ATL ABL, ATL

�� GroundGround--based: based: ““CloudCloud””, , ““NautilusNautilus””

�� Current trend: SolidCurrent trend: Solid--State, FELState, FEL

�� Electronic Warfare: Electronic Warfare:

DIRCM, DIRCM, gyrotronsgyrotrons and eand e--bombsbombs

�� ConclusionsConclusions

Defense vs. SecurityDefense vs. Security

�� DDefense: Military tasks / Armyefense: Military tasks / Army

�� SSecurity: Law enforcement tasks / Policeecurity: Law enforcement tasks / Police

�� LICLIC –– Low Intensity ConflictLow Intensity Conflict

Army / police tasks Army / police tasks --> > ��

Laser Beam Laser Beam –– hit factorshit factors

�� Heat and detonate (deflagrate)Heat and detonate (deflagrate)

““ Rapid cookRapid cook--off off ””

�� Kick and destroyKick and destroy

laser ablation <laser ablation <--

thermothermo--nuclear fusionnuclear fusion

Laser HeatingLaser HeatingDetonation/DeflagrationDetonation/Deflagration

∆∆t ~ 200 t ~ 200 ooCC

Steel: c ~ 0.5 J / g Steel: c ~ 0.5 J / g ooCC (3R ~ 25 J/mol)(3R ~ 25 J/mol)

c c ∆∆t ~ 100 J / gt ~ 100 J / g

ρρ =7.8 g / cm=7.8 g / cm33

thickness ~ 3 mmthickness ~ 3 mm --> m ~ 3 g / cm> m ~ 3 g / cm2 2

c c ∆∆t m ~ t m ~ 300 J / cm300 J / cm22

A ~ 5x5 cmA ~ 5x5 cm --> > Q ~ 10 kJQ ~ 10 kJ

Laser AblationLaser AblationShock destructionShock destruction

Fe boiling: Impact Fe boiling: Impact P ~ Q / P ~ Q / vvzz

Fe vapor Fe vapor –– molecular velocity molecular velocity

vvzz~500m/s~500m/s mvmvzz22 / 2= / 2= kTkT / 2/ 2

T ~ 3000K ~ 0.25 T ~ 3000K ~ 0.25 eVeV

m ~ 60 m ~ 60 GeVGeV /c/c22

Q = 10 kJQ = 10 kJ

P ~ 20 N sP ~ 20 N s

ττ= 1 = 1 µµs s --> > F ~ 2 F ~ 2 KtonKton

Plasma FormationPlasma Formation

�� USSR NPO USSR NPO ““AstrophysicsAstrophysics”” 19691969--19851985

�� Initial idea: antiInitial idea: anti--ICBM (SDI analog)ICBM (SDI analog)

laser ablation laser ablation --> kick and destroy> kick and destroy

Plasma formation threshold, Plasma formation threshold, CO2 laser irradiationlaser irradiation

15.013.06.53.61.7E (threshold) 10µs J/cm2

8.09.02.23.61.4E (threshold) 2µsJ/cm2

LiFPMMAAlQuartzGlass

Lasers vs. KineticLasers vs. Kinetic

1 Horse Power (hp) = 736 W1 Horse Power (hp) = 736 W

Typical laser Typical laser 100 W 100 W averageaverage

HighHigh--Power Power 10 kW10 kW average average

�� 100 kW = 135 hp ~ light truck100 kW = 135 hp ~ light truck

�� 1 MW = 1350 hp ~ 4 trucks, <1 MW = 1350 hp ~ 4 trucks, <““MerkavaMerkava””

Lasers vs. KineticLasers vs. Kinetic

Typical laser (pulse)Typical laser (pulse) E ~ 0.1 J E ~ 0.1 J

““NautilusNautilus”” E ~ 100 kJE ~ 100 kJ

�� Bullet (10g, 1000 Bullet (10g, 1000 m/sm/s)) E ~ 5 kJE ~ 5 kJ

�� Hand grenade (8g explosive)Hand grenade (8g explosive) E ~ 30 kJE ~ 30 kJ

LasersLasers may be costmay be cost--effectiveeffective

onlyonly

against against extremely importantextremely important targetstargets

AntiAnti--Missile CounterMissile Counter--MeasuresMeasures

HighHigh--Power LasersPower Lasers

Solid State: heating Solid State: heating -->>

thermal thermal lensinglensing……

Therefore:Therefore:

�� Gas lasers (Gas lasers (““NaultilusNaultilus””))

�� Vacuum devicesVacuum devices

FEL / FEM FEL / FEM –– free electron free electron laser/maserlaser/maser

CRM (CRM (GyrotronGyrotron) ) –– cyclotron resonance cyclotron resonance maser (maser (ADSADS))

HighHigh--Power Gas LasersPower Gas Lasers

10.610.6CO2

3.83.8DF Deuterium FluorideDF Deuterium Fluoride

1.3151.315COILCOIL

Chemical Oxygen Iodine LaserChemical Oxygen Iodine Laser

WavelenghWavelenghµm

HELWS projectsHELWS projectsHighHigh--Energy Laser Weapon SystemsEnergy Laser Weapon Systems

THEL Nautilus “Cloud” (USSR)

5 km

10 km

ATL (Adv. Tactical L.)

Ground

ABL (Air-Borne Laser)

ContentsContents









Beam propagation Beam propagation –– factorsfactors

�� DiffractionDiffraction--limited divergencelimited divergence

�� Normal attenuation in airNormal attenuation in air

�� Atmospheric turbulence (scattering)Atmospheric turbulence (scattering)

�� SelfSelf--focusing and breakfocusing and break--downdown

�� Plasma formation (target)Plasma formation (target)

Beam propagation Beam propagation --

focusingfocusing

�� d = d = 2 w2 w00 –– waist (focus) diameterwaist (focus) diameter

�� D = 2 D = 2 w(zw(z) ) –– focusing mirror diameterfocusing mirror diameter

�� λλ –– wavelength, z wavelength, z –– distance to targetdistance to target

�� ±± ww00 = = ±± 22σσ (Energy)(Energy)

d ~ 4 z d ~ 4 z λλ / / ππ DD w(zw(z) ~ z ) ~ z λλ / / ππ ww00

______________

ifif D > 4 D > 4 √√ z z λλ / / ππ z z > 2 > 2 zzRR , , zzRR = = ππ ww0 0 22/ / λλ

z = 5 km, z = 5 km, λλ = 3.8 = 3.8 µµmm, D=50 cm , D=50 cm -->> d ~ 5 cmd ~ 5 cm

Gaussian beam –– diffraction-limited spot

D

2 zR

d

z

Beam propagation Beam propagation

20%10.6CO2

10%3.8DF Deuterium Fluoride

100%2.7-2.9HF Hydrogen Fluoride

50%1.315COIL Chemical Oxygen Iodine Laser

30%1.06Nd:YAG

Attenuation (atmosphere)

λλ, , µm

Beam propagationBeam propagation

�� Scattering Scattering σσ ~ ~ ωω44 ~ 1 / ~ 1 / λλ44

�� σσ((Nd:YAGNd:YAG) ~ 2 ) ~ 2 σσ(COIL) ~ 150 (COIL) ~ 150 σσ(DF)(DF)

1.06 1.06 µµm m 1.315 1.315 µµm m 3.8 3.8 µµmm

Scattering

HELWS projectsHELWS projectsHighHigh--Energy Laser Weapon SystemsEnergy Laser Weapon Systems

THEL Nautilus “Cloud” (USSR)

5 km

10 km

ATL (Adv. Tactical L.)

Ground

ABL (Air-Borne Laser)

Turbulent air

Beam propagationBeam propagation

�� DC breakDC break--down (avalanche)down (avalanche)

EEbb--dd 30 kV/cm30 kV/cm

PP 2.5 MW/cm2.5 MW/cm22

Holds up to ~10 GHz (microwaves)Holds up to ~10 GHz (microwaves)

�� Optical breakOptical break--downdown

EEbb--dd 10001000--10,000 kV/cm10,000 kV/cm

PP 2.52.5--250250 GW/cmGW/cm22

SelfSelf--focusing (collapse, focusing (collapse, filamentationfilamentation))

Non-linear effects

ContentsContents



�� Airborne Lasers Airborne Lasers –– ABL, ATLABL, ATL






Target Missiles Target Missiles

�� RangeRange 100 km 100 km --> non> non--limitedlimited

�� VelocityVelocity 20002000--8000 8000 m/sm/s

�� Accuracy Accuracy ~500m (50m for tactical)~500m (50m for tactical)

�� Warhead Warhead 500kg 500kg --> Nuclear> Nuclear

Nuclear WarheadsNuclear Warheads

““Atomic Atomic ”” 11--20 20 KtonKton Hiroshima: 15 Hiroshima: 15 KtonKtondestruction range destruction range ~1 km~1 km LDLD5050 0.5 km0.5 km

““HydrogenHydrogen”” 100100--1000 1000 KtonKton

(thermo(thermo--nuclear) nuclear)

destruction range destruction range ~3~3--4 km4 km P~1/r P~1/r 33

ABL ABL –– Airborne LaserAirborne Laser

D, LICD, LIC

Courtesy: Boeing

�� TargetTarget Tactical ballistic missiles Tactical ballistic missiles at boost stageat boost stage

�� RangeRange 500 km500 km

�� LaserLaser COIL 1.315 COIL 1.315 µm� Power ~ 1 MW� Pumping Chemical

� Weight 300 ton� Lay-out Boeing 747-400F (320 ton)(320 ton)

Laser installation on board: 2007

ABL ABL –– Airborne LaserAirborne Laser

�� TargetTarget Urban warfare, Urban warfare, ……

�� RangeRange 20 km20 km

�� LaserLaser COIL 1.315 COIL 1.315 µm

� Power ~ 1 MW

� Pumping Chemical

� Lay-out CC--130H Hercules 130H Hercules

Test program: 2007 - 2009

ATL ATL –– Advanced Tactical Advanced Tactical LaserLaser

ContentsContents









USSR USSR NPO NPO ““AstrophysicsAstrophysics”” 19691969--19851985

CO2Nd-GlassLaser type

10.6µm1.06µmWavelength

30kJ3kJPulse energy

2µs10µsPulse length

Plasma formationJamming imagers

Glass destruction (thermal shock)

Action

Two 30-ton platforms

Armored vehicle Lay-out

300kV e-beamFlash lampPumping

"Oblako" (Cloud)"Stilet“ (Dirk)

Nautilus Nautilus ––> THEL> THEL LICLIC

Tactical HighTactical High--Energy Laser Energy Laser 19961996--20062006

Photo: Northrop Grumman

Target: Target: Rocket Rocket CannonCannon

MRLMRL 122122--155mm155mm

�� Range, km Range, km 2020--30 30 1212--1515

�� Velocity, Velocity, m/sm/s 250250--300300 600600--12001200

�� Accuracy, m Accuracy, m ~150~150 ~25~25

at 2/3 rangeat 2/3 range

�� Warhead, kg Warhead, kg 2020--2525 55--1010

�� Fire rateFire rate 4040 ~1~1

per 20s per 20s

Nautilus Nautilus –– THEL THEL LICLIC

Range 5 milesPrinciple HeatingLaser type Deuterium FluoridePower 100 kWPumping ChemicalCost per shot $ 3000 Fuel only!!!!!Beam diameter ~ inches

Successful hits 28 1996-2004Project cost > $ 300M 1996-2004

Main contractor Northrop Grumman, USASub-contractors ELTA, RAFAEL, …

AntiAnti--Nautilus Nautilus Possible counter-measures

�� Reflective coating

�� Heat hardening

THEL THEL --> MTHEL (Mobile)> MTHEL (Mobile)

Main contractor Northrop Grumman, USA

Sub-contractors ELTA, RAFAEL, …

Lay-out Three 20-ton semi-trailers

Estimated cost $ 300-400M (?)

Project terminated Jan 2006

SkyGuard (counter-Manpads): $ 1.9M

ContentsContents









HighHigh--Power SolidPower Solid--StateState

�� Present trends: Present trends:

fiberfiber, disk, , disk, ……

IPG Photonics: 10 kW (CW), 1.06 µm

1000 kg, 25% eff. (wall-plug)

Incoherent adding!


�� Present trends: Present trends:

fiber, fiber, diskdisk, , ……

Lawrence Livermore National LaboratoryLawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Nd:YAGNd:YAG 45kW (CW)45kW (CW)


Lawrence Livermore National LaboratoryLawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Nd:YAGNd:YAG 45kW45kW


Current projectsCurrent projects Power, kW (CW)Power, kW (CW)

~ 1.06 ~ 1.06 µm

� Northrop Grumman 15

� Raytheon (Phase Conj. Mirror Loop) 3

� Textron 15

� LLNL (5 slabs)5 slabs) 67 67

Scattering!

Free Electron Laser (FEL)Free Electron Laser (FEL)

�� EE--beam energybeam energy 2020--80 80 MeVMeV

�� WavelengthWavelength 33--150 150 µm

� Power (average) 10-100 W

� Power (peak) MW +

FEL FEL AdvantagesAdvantages

�� Vacuum device =>Vacuum device => High PowerHigh Power

�� TunabilityTunability

DisadvantagesDisadvantages�� HighHigh--energy (20energy (20--80MeV) electron 80MeV) electron beambeam

–– accelerator neededaccelerator needed

–– ionizing radiationionizing radiation

�� Size and weightSize and weight

Jefferson Lab FELJefferson Lab FEL

Funding: US NavyFunding: US Navy

�� 2004 2004 10 kW10 kW 6 6 µm

�� 2006 2006 14.2 kW 1.614.2 kW 1.6µm

Target power:Target power: 100 kW100 kW

Project funding

2006 $ 14M

2007 - 2014 $ 180M

in 8 years

Jefferson Lab FELJefferson Lab FEL

Funding: US NavyFunding: US Navy

ContentsContents






�� Electronic WarfareElectronic Warfare



ShoulderShoulder--fired missiles fired missiles ManpadsManpads (man(man--portable air defense system)portable air defense system)

antianti--tanktank

�� RangeRange 33--6 km6 km

�� SpeedSpeed 250250--600m/s600m/s

�� AccuracyAccuracy <1 m<1 m

�� WarheadWarhead ~1 kg~1 kg

Laser Beam Laser Beam –– hit factorshit factors

““PrimitivePrimitive””

�� Heat and detonateHeat and detonate

�� Kick and destroyKick and destroy

““AdvancedAdvanced””

�� Jam missile imager Jam missile imager (self(self--guiding)guiding)

�� Destroy imager Destroy imager (self(self--guiding)guiding)

CounterCounter--manpadsmanpads SS--DD

DIRCMDIRCM Directed Infrared CounterDirected Infrared Counter--MeasuresMeasures

�� 20022002 ““MedusaMedusa”” : 3 phases: 3 phases

�� 20082008 complete flight demonstrationscomplete flight demonstrations

�� Phase I Phase I

BAE Systems, Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems, Northrop Grumman,

Lockheed MartinLockheed Martin

�� Phase III Phase III $ 109M$ 109M

BAE Systems (BAE Systems (JetEyeJetEye))

Northrop Grumman (Guardian)Northrop Grumman (Guardian)

CounterCounter--manpadsmanpads SS--DD

DIRCMDIRCM Directed Infrared CounterDirected Infrared Counter--MeasuresMeasures

Northrop Grumman (Northrop Grumman (SkyGuardSkyGuard))

LayLay--outout External podExternal pod

WeightWeight 220 kg (500 lb)220 kg (500 lb)

Unit costUnit cost $ 2.1M$ 2.1M

US fleet protection costUS fleet protection cost

�� CapitalCapital investmentinvestment $ 11,000M$ 11,000M

�� Per flightPer flight $ 365$ 365(including extra ~1% fuel)(including extra ~1% fuel)

GyrotronGyrotron –– CRM CRM

Cyclotron Resonance MaserCyclotron Resonance Maser

YOSH Gyrotron

Frequency 6.7 GHz

Power 1 kW

GyrotronsGyrotrons –– the state of the artthe state of the art

TOSHIBA GYCOM THALES CPI

�� FrequencyFrequency <800 GHz<800 GHz

�� Power (CW)Power (CW) 1 MW1 MW

at 170 GHzat 170 GHz

�� Pulse durationPulse duration 20 s20 s

�� EfficiencyEfficiency 45 %45 %

GYCOM 1MW Gyrotron

1 MW COIL laser

GyrotronGyrotron SS--DD

Electronic Warfare; nonElectronic Warfare; non--lethal weaponlethal weapon

________________

ww00 = = √√ L L λλ / 2 / 2 ππ__

D (antenna) = 2 D (antenna) = 2 √√2 w2 w00

L= L= ππ DD2 2 / 4 / 4 λλ

λλ=3 mm=3 mm

D (antenna)=4mD (antenna)=4m L = 4000mL = 4000m



D D

L

d

GyrotronGyrotron SS

Vigilant Eagle Airport Protection SystemVigilant Eagle Airport Protection System

RaytheonRaytheon

1818--month, $ 4.1M month, $ 4.1M

not testing HPM!not testing HPM!

(high(high--power power

microwave)microwave)

GyrotronGyrotron S,LICS,LIC

ADS ADS -- nonnon--lethal weaponlethal weapon

““Despite an enormous degree of hype, and Despite an enormous degree of hype, and

considerable investment for more than a considerable investment for more than a

decade, the deployment of a tactical highdecade, the deployment of a tactical high--

power microwave (HPM) weapon power microwave (HPM) weapon –– a rea re--

usable mobile transmitter capable of usable mobile transmitter capable of

damaging a range of targets damaging a range of targets –– is some is some

way off.way off.””

JaneJane’’s s DefenceDefence Weekly Weekly

25.08.200625.08.2006

World Tribune 03.02.05

ADS – Active Denial System

f = 95 GHz

L= 1 km

To be deployed: 08.2005

EE--bomb bomb

�� ExplosivelyExplosively--PumpedPumped

Flux Compression GeneratorFlux Compression Generator

Pulse energy Pulse energy ~ 10~ 1077 JJ

Pulse durationPulse duration ~ 10~ 10--100 100 µµss

ConclusionsConclusions

�� Considerable activityConsiderable activity

�� Expectations are still far ahead of the Expectations are still far ahead of the

achievementsachievements

�� HighHigh--cost targets should be considered cost targets should be considered

�� Novel means of Electronic Warfare Novel means of Electronic Warfare

((gyrotrongyrotron, e, e--bomb etc.) still await verificationbomb etc.) still await verification

yehoshua socol - falcon analytics · plasma formation ussr npo “astrophysics ” 1969 -1985...

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